Jeb Breithaupt: Playroom turns Grandma's house into cool place to visit

At the home of any grandparent, remodeling plans usually revolve around finding space for a playroom.

Once a family is blessed with grandchildren, the grandparents almost always want to make their home the one that the kids can't wait to visit. A dedicated playroom - one that grows as the children do - can make youngsters feel like they have a room of their own, just like at home.

If part of your remodeling goal is to make your grandchildren feel at home, consider adding on a room for them or converting an unused room into a haven where they can store their toys, hang out with neighborhood friends and play their video games on their own TV so grandpa doesn't have to share his on football Sundays.

Here are 11 ways to create a cool playroom that will make the little ones ask, "When can we go to Grandma's house?"

? Location. The playroom should be close enough to the kitchen and the main living area that you can conveniently check in with the kids, yet far enough away from your own TV room and master bedroom. So the volume on their TV won't drown out your favorite programs or keep someone from napping.

? Choose a durable window cover. If your youngsters will be bouncing balls or rough-housing in their playroom, consider protecting the windows with wooden blinds or shutters on the inside rather than shades or curtains. Another option: Install shatter-resistant glass windows, often touted as a security measure or a safeguard against wind-blown rain in coastal neighborhoods.

? Check your air flow. Whether you're adding a room, finishing an attic or converting an adult child's old bedroom into a playroom, ask your contractor to evaluate the air flow. Poor air flow can chase kids out of an otherwise perfect playroom because it gets too hot during the summer or too cold during the winter.

? Find space in your garage. Some garages are built with attics large enough for people to comfortably stand -and play - in. Finishing that attic with carpet, good lighting and a heat pump will give the grandkids a big space to play in, a cushioned floor to land on, and a bright, safe spot for reading, homework and crafts.

? Consider a second garage. If you're building a bigger garage for your cars and adult toys like a golf cart or riding lawnmower, don't tear down the old one. Clean it up and convert it into the ultimate playhouse for the grandchildren.

? Think digital. It's a charming notion that an antique pinball machine, a ping-pong table and a bin full of crafting supplies will delight 'tweens or teenagers. The fact is: They want to play video games, watch movies and get online. Invest in a big-screen TV - perhaps with surround sound - and make sure the room gets a strong Internet signal. Ask a qualified electrician to evaluate whether the electrical circuit that feeds the room can handle an infusion of kid-approved electronics.

? Mix work and play. Many children often have to do a bit of homework in between play dates during the week and on the weekend. Equip the playroom with a desk, a kid-size chair, a computer and printer, so the kids have a comfortable place to do homework.

? Realize that kids grow out of everything. Before you pay a bundle of money to a local painter to create a one-of-a-kind mermaid or princess mural on the wall of your 7-year-old granddaughter's playroom, realize that within about five years, she's going to identify more with the next teenage pop star than Ariel, or Jasmine. Prepare yourself to paint or wallpaper over the masterpiece once it starts to embarrass your little princess-turned-tween when friends visit her at your home.

? Same goes for built-in cabinets, shelving and desks. Buy furniture instead so you can replace it as your grandchildren grow out of it. When you choose your pieces, look for round edges instead of sharp ones. My favorite: beanbag chairs. They're comfortable, inexpensive, durable and soft.

? Invest in the indestructible. Kids and pets can tear up a wood floor or a carpet almost quicker than you can replace it. Skip the high-end flooring and look at vinyl flooring materials which clean up easily when kids spill their ice cream cones or leave sneaker-skid marks behind.

? Keep food and drinks in the kitchen, not the playroom. If you equip your grandkids' playroom with a mini refrigerator or a dry bar, be prepared to clean up after "fizz fights" involving shaken Coke cans and other food and drink related messes. Besides, making your kitchen the destination for snack breaks will give you a chance to spend a little more time with the children and their friends as you prepare their food and sit with them while they enjoy it.

You might prefer that your grandchildren "hang around" with you all day when they visit. But, kids just want to have fun. So build a fun room, look in on them often, and notice how eager they are to return to your home next time and how much they wish they didn't have to leave.

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Jeb Breithaupt: Playroom turns Grandma's house into cool place to visit

If part of your remodeling goal is to make your grandchildren feel at home, consider adding on a room for them or converting an unused room into a haven where they can store their toys, hang out with